the tindog coffeehouse

Confession: I get teary-eyed every time I hear the Jars of Clay song “Boys (Lesson One)”, a series of instructions for life from a father to his sons.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Lesson one – do not hide
Lesson two – there are right ways to fight
And if you have questions
We can talk through the night

So you know who you are
And you know what you want
I’ve been where you’re going
And it’s not that far
It’s too far to walk
But you don’t have to run
You’ll get there in time

Lesson three – you’re not alone
Not since I saw you start breathing on your own
You can leave, you can run, this
Will still be your home

So you know who you are
And you know what you want
I’ve been where you’re going
And it’s not that far
It’s too far to walk
But you don’t have to run
You’ll get there in time
Get there in time

In time, to wonder where the days have gone
In time, to be old enough to
Wish that you were young
When good things are unraveling
Bad things come undone
You weather love and lose your innocence

There will be liars and
Thieves who take from you
Not to undermine the consequence
But you are not what you do
And when you need it most
I have a hundred reasons why I love you

If you weather love and lose your innocence
Just remember – lesson one

Happy Father’s Day!

Previously:
Defining ‘manhood’

Let it rise above, rise above
There is no song louder than love

– Switchfoot, “The Sound (John Perkins’ Blues)”

About civil rights activist John M. Perkins, Switchfoot lead singer Jon Foreman writes:

Over the next few decades Dr. Perkins’ outspoken nature and leadership in civil rights demonstrations resulted in repeated harassment, brutal beatings and imprisonment. Yet even in the hands of his oppressors he chose the path of love over violence, of compassion over hatred. His story is the story of the struggle for true freedom, freedom from even the knee-jerk reaction of retaliatory violence. His song is the song of the blessed community. His dream is the dream which Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King and so many others died for. His story is living proof that love is louder than violence, louder than hatred, and louder than racism.

Continue reading…

There’s been a lot of talk on the Interwebs lately about the “controversial” new album from Christian musician Derek Webb, Stockholm Syndrome. The controversy seems to be primarily over one particular song on the album, “What Matters More”, due to the song’s use of the word “shit”.

I don’t really do music reviews, but after listening to the album for several days, I did want to weigh in with a few thoughts on it.

First, lyrics aside, let me make a comment about the music. I would describe the style as experimental, synth-heavy electronica with moments of dissonance and incongruity. (See, this is why I don’t do music reviews.) Some have compared it to Wilco and Radiohead, which is probably a fair comparison. Sometimes the music works (“Black Eye”, “What You Give Up To Get It”) and sometimes it severely gets in the way (“The State”, “American Flag Umbrella”).

Continue reading…

The perfect theme song for Tax Day: Plumb’s “I Have Nothing”:

Naked I showed up here
With nothing to my name
Pure and crazy, blameless
Baby I’m ashamed

And naked I will leave here
With nothing left to say
My pockets full of empty
And now I’m not to blame

I have nothing (I don’t want it)
I have nothing (I don’t need it)
I have nothing (You can have it)
I have nothing, nothing, nothing

So catch me when I’m falling
Into strange, elusive state
And kick me when I’m stingy
Take everything away

‘Cause yesterday is gone now
And tomorrow isn’t sure
Today is all I’m given
And what I have is yours

‘Cause I have nothing (I don’t want it)
I have nothing (I don’t need it)
I have nothing (You can have it)
I have nothing, nothing, nothing

Oh why do I put so much time
In things I leave behind
That were never mine?

Oh why?

I have nothing (I don’t want it)
I have nothing (I don’t need it)
I have nothing (You can have it)
I have nothing, nothing, nothing

Previously:
Casualties of the American dream
Who owns you?

“Casualties” by Christian rock band Addison Road:

He sees his life just pass by
Just another number in a suit and tie
No purpose here nothing to give
Is this what it means to really live?
His feet never touch the ground
His days fly by, he can’t slow down

(CHORUS)
Casualties of the American dream
Have we lost our vision
Drifting off and living
Half asleep with a faint heartbeat
Just dying to be revived
I want to be revived

She’s screaming out, “I’ve lost control”
Caught in another undertow
She’s only barely hanging on
Been holding her breath for so long
Her feet never touch the ground
She’s not sure which way is up or down

(CHORUS)
Casualties of the American dream
Have we lost our vision
Drifting off and living
Half asleep with a faint heartbeat
Just dying to be revived

I want to be revived
I want to feel alive
And in a world so numb
Don’t let me become another
Casualty living in this dream

(CHORUS)
Casualties of the American dream
Just dying to be revived
I want to be revived

I want to be revived

Previously:
Who owns you?